The Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Hassan Tampuli, has suggested that the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo forms part of a calculated political agenda aimed at purging the judiciary.

Speaking during a panel discussion on JoyNews' Newsfile, the MP accused elements within the current political establishment of acting to fulfil a campaign promise to reshape the judiciary from the top down.

“The issue before us is a premeditated one,” Mr Tampuli asserted.

“During the electioneering campaign, we were told that this Chief Justice is not fit for purpose. In fact, we were told that they were going to purge the judiciary. They are going to purge the judiciary, and it starts from the top, so everything has been done in order to actualise this determined conclusion,” he siad.

Mr Tampuli’s remarks come in the wake of intense national debate over the Chief Justice’s suspension and the procedures being used to investigate allegations of misconduct against her.

In an effort to emphasise what he views as procedural overreach and misinterpretation of the law, Mr Tampuli also questioned the application of Article 146(8) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that proceedings involving the removal of certain public officers, including the Chief Justice, be held in camera.

“In camera means you can’t hold the meeting in public,” he explained.

“It doesn’t mean that I can’t take my bodyguard, I can’t take my spouse, I can’t take my child. For instance, does in camera mean you can’t take your spouse? That’s not what the law says,” he concluded.